Messages from the Dead is a novel that is, at best, confusing and uninteresting. While the general idea of the plot shows potential, the execution is only passable. For most readers, this makes a tough read not terribly enjoyable in the process.

Soul searching is meant to be at the heart of this work. Nothing written here is ever simple, and the story spirals into confusing segues at the heart of every individual - pride, verity, the “who” we are in a world of many, etc. There is a juggling of ideas and weighing the odds in favor of various beliefs, including anarchy.

The story follows Richard, his group, and their less-than-healthy lifestyle that leads to violence, anger, revenge - and a “final event” that isn’t so great but is supposed to be. There seems to be a communication between two different minds, one possibly being God, but exactly who is doing the communicating is not made overtly obvious, unless it was overlooked in the stream of boring babble that litters the pages.

The writing teeters between easy-to-follow at moments and way too intellectual and boring the next. Several sections in a single page are difficult to get a grasp on before the reader is thrown into a whole new set of more confusing and joy-killing reading on the next page. It's been a long time since a book of this complexity and droning quality has passed my way.